Contact reel and brush.



J. NUTRY.

CONTACT REEL AND BRUSH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.7| I916.

1,242,71 6. Patented 00$. 9,1917;

srATns rn'rnnfr ornicn.

JOHN NUTRY, OF BROQKLYN. NEW YORK.

CONTACT REEL AND BRUSH.

Application filed August 7, 1916.

To ail whom it may concern it known that I, JOHY NUTRY, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Contact heels and Brushes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a contact reel and brush. It is particularly adapted for use in connection with automatic telegraphing instruments and the like, although it is "lot necessarily limited to use in connection with such instruments.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved, simple, durable and uniformly efiicient device of this charactei'a Further object is to provide a construction which will occupy a minimum of space, but which may nevertheless be made strong and substantial.

More detailed object is to provide a contact reel which is made up of two or more annular members fixed to each other in concentric relation, so that one of said members will constitute an insulating element for maintaining the brush out of contact with portions of another of said elements except at the desired times, also to provide a supporting member for the contact reel which will. cobperate with portions of said reel to positively guide the movement thereof and at the same time serve to maintain the conr and in which Ihave shown merely a pre-' tact elements of the reel in efficient operative condition.

A further object is to provide an inr proved. form of brush for cooperating with the improved reel, also to so form the brush as to cooperate with an unusually strong and reliable brush-guiding member.

Further object is to provide an improved form of pawl for coiiperating with the improved form of reel.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious, and in part pointed out, in course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangement of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention: and the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as a part of this specification Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

Serial no. 113,515.

ferred form of embodiment of the inventron:

Figure l is a side elevational view ofa contact reel and brush, the supporting member and the stop pawl being illustrated in their normal positions, and adjacent parts of an automatic telegraphing machine being shown in transpose section.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting member of carriage for the contact reel.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane of line ITI-III of Fig. 1, like in the direction of the arrow.

4 is a perspective view of the contact brush, illustrating the guiding means therefor and 7 Fig. is a perspective view of the stop pawl.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the structure which is illustrated therein the reference character L in- (lie-ates the contact reel. The reference character {2 indicates the contact brush. The reference character H indicates the supporting member or carriage for the contact reel, and the reference character A indicates the stop pawl.

The contact reel L is made up of three annular members fixed fiat against each other as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. The central member 1 is a ring of insulating material. The side members 2 are made of metal or other conducting material. The central member 1 is of slightly greater diameter than the members so that it presents a smooth annular surface projecting beyond the outer edge of the members 2.

The inner annular edge of at least one of the members 2 provided with gear teeth arranged, when the reel is moved downwardly to cngag z'e the teeth of the rotating drive roller t.

The members '22 may be fixed to the member l in any suitable manner but are preferably connected by small rivets 5 or the like.

\Vhen the reel is lowered into engagement with the roller l the engagement of the teeth with the teeth or the roller will cause the reel to rotate in the manner wellknown in the art.

The brush G is preferably made from,

sheet metal bent into U-crosssection. At one end it is enlarged and provided with a slot 6 pivotally engaging over a supporting shaft or wire 7, the slot 6 being directed downwardly so that the weight of the brush, together with the tension of a light spring 8, will suflice to maintain the brush against accidental displacement. The U-shape of the brush provides 2 slots 6 for each brush disposed to engage the wire '7 at points spaced apart so that tendency of the brush to tilt to one side or the other is counteracted.

Intermediate its length the upper wall 10 of the brush is cut away, to provide a free passageway between the legs thereof for a guide member 15 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. This guide member is rigid and serves to positively retain the outer end of the brush against displacement but leaves it free to move in a vertical direction.

A small section 16 of the upper wall is left uncut so as to constitute attachingmeans for the upper end of the spring 8. The portion 16 is preferably indented as clearly seen in Fig. 4: to provide a better seat for engagement by the upper end of the spring.

At the outer end of the brush a depending arm 9 is provided for engaging the contact reel. This arm is formed by bending down an extension of the upper or connect ing wall 10. The arm 9 is slotted so as to provide a pair of spaced fingers 11 at its lower end. The slot is disposed so as to straddle the insulating member 1 of the reel and the depth of the slot is such that when the lower end surfaces 12 of the fingers 11 are raised upon the outer annular surface of the members of the reel the surface 13 between the fingers is spaced slightly away from the upper edge surface of the member 1. The members 2 however have portions cut out therefrom as at 14: so that the outer annular surface is broken. Normally the arm 9 stands at the point of one of the cutaway portions 14 so that the surface 13 between the fingers rests upon the edge of the insulating member 1 and the lower ends of the fingers depend slightly below the circular plane of the outer annular edges of the members 2.

When the reel is rotated the successive corners 15 engage against the lower surfaces 12 of the fingers and lift the same upwardly. This provides a good clean rubbingcontact between the fingers and the projecting portions of the members 2.

The surfaces 12, as well as the corners 15, are preferably slightly beveled to facilitate the lifting action.

As the reel moves downwardly into engagement with the roller 4 it is followed closely by the arm. 9. So long as the fingers depend into one of the cut-out spaces 14 there is no electrical engagement between the brush and the members 2 of the reel. The electrical connection is made from the roller 4.. through the members 2 to the brush only when the reel is rotated and the pro jecting portions of the members 2 engage the fingers.

The projecting portions of the members 2 accordingly are given definite proportions relatively to each other so as to define dots and dashes. A series of projecting portions thus constitute one letter, as will be readily understood. At the end of each series of projecting portions a laterally extending pin H is arranged to engage the stop pawl A so that when the letter has been impressed upon the line the stop pawl will be moved by one of the pins 14 and the reel will be caused to return upwardly to its normal position out of contact with the roller 4. This action is accomplished by mechanism not shown and not forming a part of this invention but well known in the art.

There may be as many series of projecting portions as may be accommodated in the circumference of the reel.

The stop pawl is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 where it is seen also to be of U-crosssection so as to provide a pair of depending shoulders 17. The U-shape of the pawl permits the same to straddle all three members of the reel and to dispose the shoulders 17. in position to be engaged by the pins 14.

The carrier H comprises a body-part of metal formed with a semi-circular portion 18, a forward extension 19, and a rearward extension 20. The forward extension is intended to be operated upon by the character keys to cause said end to be depressed. The rearward extension is provided with an upwardly opening slot 21 for pivotally engaging a rod or wire 22. The semi-circular portion is adapted to accommodate and partly encircle the reel and for this purpose it is formed with an inner curved surface 23 of approximately the same curvature as the edge of the member 1 of the reel. Curved strips or plates 2 of insulating material are fixed by rivets or the like 25 to the opposite side surfaces of the semi-circular portion for cooperating with the surface 23 to provide a curved pocket or runway into which the projecting portion of the member 1 of the reel is rotatably received.

The pocket or runway is slightly larger.

the outer surfaces of the extensions to be maintained bright and clean at all times during the operation of the device. Good electrical contact between said extensions of the brush will therefore be assured.

The carrier is maintained in its normally elevated position by means of a-spring 27 which engages betwen the carrier and the support 28 of the guides 15.

The lower end of the spring is preferably connected to the carrier so that the tension of said spring will not be materially altered during the operation of the device. The connection is conveniently made by providing a pin 29 to bridge the space between the plates at the rear end of said plates where the plates project slightly above the body of the carrier. The spring engages the bridging portion of the pin and forms an ideal attachment.

It Will be noted that those portions of the brush G which are intended to engage the contact extensions of the reel have no rub-- bing contact whatever except with the contact extensions. The likelihood of an accumulation of any kind upon the contact portion of the brush due to rubbing over a solid insulating section is therefore avoided.

It will also be noted that the fingers 11, straddling the projecting portion of the reel, serve to guide and maintain the brush against accidental displacement. The projecting annular portion of the member 1 of the reel constitutes a guide element. for the brush, and acts with the fingers 11 and the surface 13 to positively hold the brush at all times in proper and accurate cooperative relation with the contact extensions of the members 2.

It will also be noted that if desired the outer surface of the insulating member 1 of the reel may rest in rubbing contact with the surface 23 of the carrier.

is many changes can be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above descripticn, or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention What 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A contact reel and brush, the contact reel comprising a ring of insulating material and a series of contact elements carried thereby defining a complete circle and spaced. inwardly from the periphery thereof, and the brush comprising a slotted part for straddling the projecting portion of the ring and for engaging said contact elements.

2. A contact reel and brush, the contact reel comprising a member formed with a plurality of contact elements arranged in a complete circle, an annular member of insulating material projecting beyond said contact elements to constitute a guide with respect thereto, the brush comprising a finger for engaging said contact elements and comprising a surface portion for engaging the annular edge of said insulating material, whereby to guide the finger in proper cmiperative relation with said contact elements.

3. A contact reel and brush, the contact reel comprising a ring of insulating material and two rings of conducting material, the ring of insulating material being of greater diameter than the rings of conducting material so as to provide an annular portion of insulating mat rial projecting beyond the circumferential edges of the rings of conducting material. the circumferential edges of the rings of conducting material having portions cut out therefrom to leave contact elements, and the brush comprising an arm formed with a pair of fingers disposed to straddle the projecting portion of the ring of insulating material so that the ends of said fingers are guided in cooperative position relatively to said contact elements.

-1. A. contact reel made up of an annular member of insulating material and an annular member of conducting material each defining a complete circle, the annular member of insulating material being of greater diamet r than the annular member of conducting material so as to provide an annular portion of insulating material projecting bevond the outer circumferential surfaces of the annular member of conducting material to serve as brush-guiding means, and the outer circumferential surface of the member of conducting material having portions cut therefrom whereby to provide contact elements adjacent the brush-guiding means.

A contact reel. made up of an annular member of insulating material and an annular member ,of conducting material each. defining a complete circle, the annular member of insulating material being of greater diameter than the annular member of conducting material so as to provide an annular portion of insulz'ttiing material projecting beyond the outer circumferential surfaces of the annular member of conducting material for cooperating with the annular member of conducting material having contact portions disposed adjacent the projecting portion of the annular member of insulating material, and the projecting portion of the annular member of insulating material comprising a guide means to maintain the reel in a suitable carrier.

(5. A contact reel comprising an annular insulating member and a contact member, said annular insulating member having a portion disposed to constitute a guide for rotatably supporting the reel in a suitable carrier.

7. A contact reel and carrier therefor, the contact reel comprising a series of contact elements arranged in a complete circle and an annular member of insulating material upon which said contact elements are supported, the annular member of insulating material having an annular portion projecting beyond said contact elements to form a guide for engaging the carrier, and the carrier having a portion for engaging said guide to rotatably support the reel.

8. A contact reel and carrier therefor, the contact reel comprising a series of contact elements arranged in a complete circle and an annular member of insulating material upon which said contact elements are supported, the annular member of insulating material having an annular portion projecting beyond said contact elements to form a guide for engaging the carrier, and the carrier having a portion for engaging said guide to rotatably support the reel, and having another portion to be engaged by said contact elements as the reel rotates whereby to maintain the contact elements clean.

9. A contact reel and carrier therefor, the contact reel comprising a series of contact elements in circular alinement and having unobstructed spaces therebetween and the carrier comprising means forming a circular palghway along which said contact elements ru 10. A contact reel and carrier therefor, the contact reel comprising a series of contact elements in circular alinement and have unobstructed spaces therebetween, and the carrier comprising means forming a circular pathway engaging the contact elements to support the reel.

11. A brush of the type disclosed comprising a member formed of sheet metal bent into U-shape in cross-section, the legs of the U at one end of the brush being slotted for engaging a support at spaced points upon the support, and the connecting portion of the U being extended at the opposite end of the brush beyond the adjacent ends of the legs of the U and bent downwardly across the ends of said legs to constitute a contact arm.

12. A brush of the type disclosed comprising a member formed of sheet metal bent into U-shape in cross-section the legs of the U at one end of the brush being slotted for engaging a support at spaced points upon the support, the connecting portion of the U being extended at the opposite end of the brush beyond the adjacent ends of the legs of the U and bent downwardly across the ends of said legs to constitute a contact arm, the connecting portion of the U being cut away intermediate the length of the brush to provide an unobstructed passageway vertically between the legs of the U for a suitable guide member.

13. A brush of the type disclosed comprising a member formed of sheet metal bent into U-shape in cross-section the legs of the U at one end of the brush being slotted for en aging a support at spaced points upon the support, the connecting portion of the U being extended at the opposite end of the brush beyond the adjacent ends of the legs of the U and bent downwardly across the ends of said legs to constitute a contact arm, and the connecting portion of the U being cut away at spaced points intermediate the length of the brush to provide a narrow bridge at one point between said legs for the attachment of a controlling spring.

14. A stop pawl made of sheet metal bent into U cross-section to provide a pair of depending legs at one end for straddling a contact reel or the like so that the ends of the legs will engage operating pins carried at the sides of the contact reel, and for providing spaced pivot forming portions at the opposite end.

15. A contact reel and brush the contact reel comprising an annular guide ring defining a complete unbroken circle and a contact element, the brush comprising a part at all times engaging the annular unbroken portion of the guide ring so as to be positively guided thereby retaining another part of the brush in position to cooperate with said contact element.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN NUTRY. Witnesses L. Gnssroan HANDY, HENRY M. HEYN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

